Table burner assembly &amp; method

ABSTRACT

An ornamental flame assembly which provides or produces an ornamental flame within a furnishing object such as a patio table or dining room table. The table has a noncombustible media recess which holds for example a layer of noncombustible stone aggregate material, sand, water, glass or other desired ornamental material. Contained within the media recess is a vapor fuel dispersion assembly. This assembly has a staging section which in one form is a bowl or cup arranged so that the top edge of the cup is held just below the top surface of the noncombustible media. Within the staging section is a vapor fuel dispersion section. This dispersion section in one form is an inverted cup which has a bottom edge which is serrated to provide for vapor fuel to pass into the inner region of the inverted cup and be distributed into the bottom region of the staging section. The dispersion assembly is fed with vapor fuel which in one form is propane. The vapor fuel source is a propane tank in one form which is held within the furnishing object&#39;s support, such as the table leg. The propane tank feeds a line directly into the dispersion section cup which then feeds the propane fuel into the staging section. As the propane fills the staging section cup, a volume of propane is presented at the top surface of the noncombustible media in the desired flame bum configuration. A control system provides for variation in flame heights, ignition, and burn sequences. The control system also can orchestrate, for example, multiple tables having multiple ornamental flame assemblies for a plurality of ornamental flame effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

This concept relates generally to the field of furnishings and moreparticularly to furniture objects such as tables, chairs, fountains,coffee tables, patio tables, wall furnishings, and other items whichoccur within the human living environment. More particularly, thisconcept relates to providing an ornamental flame as a centerpiece withinthe furnishing object. The operation and control of the flame as itappears above noncombustible media such as water, rocks, glass, sand,and other material which is noncombustible is provided within thisgeneral concept.

b) Background Art

The following prior art discusses various forms of burner assemblies butit is believed that they in no way disclose the present concept.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,517 discloses an apparatus and method for simulatedcampfires which has a fire pan, a diffuser element located within thepan, and a gas injector which extends into the interior. Referring tocolumn 2 at line 47, the campfire apparatus can be assembled on asupport surface and connected to a fuel source. A fire pan which has amain body with an inner surface and an upper rim holds the vaporizedfuel when the gas is injected through a gas outlet into the paninterior. A vaporized fuel diffuser helps to disperse the fuel into thepan. Low density, nonflammable, material is disbursed in the pan to adepth sufficient to cover the gas fuel injector and the diffuserelement. The particulate material allows the fuel vapor to pass upwardsand restricts ignition of the fuel until the fuel reaches the uppersurface of the particulate material. The particulate matter as discussedin column 3 around line 6, is selected from a group of materials such assilicates, carbonates, course sands, ores, and material such asvermiculite.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,906 discloses a fire effect appliance which has abowl which is supplied by a flammable gas line. A defusing device isalso included and evenly distributes the gas throughout particulatematter contained within the inner chamber of the fire bowl. The bowl canbe placed on a freestanding mount, or placed within a table. A fan asseen in FIG. 4 is positioned below the heating element and is providedto force the heat upwards and disperse the heat into the adjacentenvironment. Referring to column 2 at line 61, the fire bowl is in therange of 18 to 14 inches in diameter. The bowl has an upper edge whichhas an annular flat flange and mounted on the undersurface of the flangeare a plurality of pegs which act as feet to be placed against thetable. Referring to column 3 at line 5, the table has a centrallylocated hole in one embodiment and because the fire bowl will becomequite heated, the fire bowl pegs keep the bowl separated from the tableso the table does not burn. The fire bowl itself is constructed of steelor aluminum. A defusing plate as seen in column 3 at line 37 isbasically a flat circular metallic plate constructed of steel. The plateis proportional in diameter to the fire bowl diameter. The plate rangesin diameter from 57-60% of the largest diameter of the fire bowl.Particulate matter is also placed within the fire bowl such as gravel orany other type of particulate that is capable of being heated.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,514 discloses a portable fire pit and fire pit standwhich has an elevated platform, fire pit within the platform, and acontainer of fuel. A decorative item may be placed within the fire pitand around the fuel. The fuel is ignited to display a large flame. Acover is placed over the fire pit. Referring to column 3 at line 25, aflange is formed around the top perimeter of the fire pit and allows thepit portion to be inserted and retained in the elevated platform withoutneed of fastening. A container grate as seen in column 3 around line 36is placed in the bottom of the fire pit, which reduces heat transferfrom the heating element to the bottom of the pit. Further down at line42, at least one container of fuel is surrounded by a decorative itemwhich mimics for example, a noncombustible log, coals, stones or otheritems. The fuel is in one form a gel or in another form a type ofalcohol fuel derivative.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,288 discloses a portable fireplace which has aninner housing and a flame pit. An outer housing surrounds the innerhousing and a space is formed between the inner and outer housings tocreate an insulation zone. A support is contained within the flame pitto hold a flame presentation substance. Referring to column 3 at line 5,a fire ring which has a series of interconnected tubes forming amanifold has perforations and allows gas to be fed to the fire ring toexit and be ignited by a suitable ignition source. Contained over thefire ring as discussed in column 3 at line 48, is the flame presentationsubstance such as wood, log, rocks, artificial logs, and other similarornamental looking devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,881 discloses a portable fireplace with a planarbase and a plurality of gas orifices. The base can be any shape, and thegas is directed through channels to orifices where it emerges andignites. In an alternative embodiment, the base is enclosed within atight wind screen and contains water which allows the illusion of flamesemerging from a flame burning water surface. Referring to column 3 atline 40, it is possible to add rocks to the base in order to enhance thevisual effect. Also, the fluid as discussed in line 59 may also compriseany noncombustible fluid. Once the gas emerges from the water, the gasis ignited by a match or spark igniter, and the flame gives an enjoyablevisual effect in a sustained manner above the surface of the fluid. Whenused with the fluid, the orifices discharging the gas also use adiaphragm valve or check valve to prevent the water or fluid fromentering into the gas channel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,466 discloses a barbecue and patio table combinationwith a burner pit positioned in the upper section of the table which canbe covered when not in use by a lid which is flush with the uppersurface of the table slab. Cooking griddle, charcoal plate, and ashcollecting bucket are held within the inner wall of the burner pit in aninverted frusto conical shape.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,128 discloses a fire pit which has controls forflames from a lava rock media visibly displayed at the base portion ofan elevated platform. Surrounding the platform is a wall to contain thelava rocks. A gas line which has a number of outlet ports disposedthroughout the lava rocks is contained herein. Attached to the baseportion is a lid support structure which is substantially open aroundthe lateral sides above the wall, which allows clear view of the law forrocks within the base portion. A controlled fire may be safely displayedin any outdoor space including residential areas of urban and suburbanlocales.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,796 discloses a combination table and cooking grill,which has a horizontal tabletop and a centrally disposed aperture in themiddle of the table where the tabletop is mounted on the upper portionof a vertical hollow pedestal. An inner grill housing houses the heatsource and the cooking grate with the grate and the heat sourcepositioned below or in line with the central aperture. Users can placefood items around the periphery of the table and grill the barbecuedfood as desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,250 discloses a gas fire fireplace basket whichsimulates a coal fire and incorporates a plurality of gas burnersbeneath the screen which in turn supports a plurality of pieces ofnoncombustible material in a loosely disposed shallow layer. A deepenedpocket in the screen locates pieces of noncombustible material adjacentcutaway areas in the front portion of the basket which provides for theillusion of greater depth of the noncombustible materials than isactually provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,337 discloses a flaming fountain, which is a displaydevice where natural or other combustible gases mixed with water as thewater is ejected from a special mixing chamber and causes the gas to betrapped and encapsulated with air bubbles suspended in the water streamso that when a mixture of gaseous and water breaks over a loss ofmomentum and gravity, the bubbles break, releasing the combustible gaswhich is ignited and provides a flame at the point where the waterbreaks over. By varying the pressure of the water, the encapsulated gasmay be released at selected heights and over greater various areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ornamental flame object;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ornamental flame burning abovenoncombustible media;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vapor fuel tank connected to theornamental flame object;

FIG. 4 is an elevational section view of the fuel dispersion assembly;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the fuel dispersion assembly;

FIG. 6 is an elevational section view of the fuel dispersion cup;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the fuel dispersion cup;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the vapor fuel dispersion assembly in awater environment;

FIG. 9 is a section view of the vapor fuel dispersion assembly airstone;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the fueldispersion assembly;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the previously-mentioned alternativeembodiment integrated with a programmable integrated circuit;

FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the ornamental flameconfiguration shown in a spiral configuration;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the previously-mentioned spiralconfiguration ornamental flame alternative embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an elevational section view of the spiral leg fuel dispersionassembly;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the spiral leg fuel dispersion assembly;

FIG. 16 is an elevational section view of the fuel dispersion assemblywith programmable integrated circuit and controllers;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an ornamental flame assembly integratingmultiple tables and a programmable integrated circuit and controllers;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the control application and controlclass objects;

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a fuel dispersion assembly operationapplication;

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an ornamental flame object operationapplication;

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of an ornamental flame assembly operationapplication;

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of a continuous burn application;

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a timed burn application;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of a variable burn application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally speaking, this concept relates to providing an ornamentalflame which appears to combust above a noncombustible media. Forexample, the ornamental flame may appear to float or bum above say forexample rocks, water, sand, glass, or other media which normally doesnot bum unless at extremely high temperatures. The ornamental flame isprovided within an ornamental flame object which will be discussedbelow.

Referring to FIG. 1, an ornamental flame object 10 is provided in thiscase as a table, a coffee table, a wall ornament, a patio table, asculptural effect, or even part of a lounge chair of some sort. Theoverall and general idea is to provide for the ornamental flame 20within the center portion of the table top surface 12. The flame 20appears to burn above a noncombustible media which resides within amedia recess 16. In this current embodiment, the table has a pluralityof support legs 14 which raise it above the ground surface. In addition,light elements 18 are provided which give additional luminosity effectsas desired.

Discussing further the ornamental effect of the flame, and referring toFIG. 2, the flame 20 appears to burn above the noncombustible media 38which in this case are a plurality of pebbles, stones and rocks. Theflame seems to float above a burn location 22, which is in this caseprovided at the center of the media recess 16.

To provide for this ornamental flame 20 burning above the noncombustiblemedia 38, a series of fuel dispersion assemblies 40 which will discussedbelow as seen in FIG. 5, can be arranged within the media recess 16 toprovide the desired burning effect and create the desired ambience forexample within the restaurant, backyard patio area, or dining roomenvironments.

To create the ornamental flame 20, a vapor fuel is provided which feedsthe combustion. The vapor fuel is provided from a vapor fuel container24 which in this case is a propane tank. In the current embodiment, thepropane tank 24 is strapped to the outside of one of the support legs 14of the table or ornamental flame object 10, but in alternativeembodiments the propane tank 24 is provided in a recess within thesupport leg 14.

The vapor fuel is fed to the burner 34 through the use of a fuel vaporline 28. The vapor fuel is regulated by a control valve 26 as it isprovided at the outlet of the pre-pressurized propane tank 24. Theburner 34 extends through the bottom wall 32 of the media recess 16through a burner port 30 which is sealed to keep the noncombustiblemedia 38 from exiting through the burner port but allows the vapor fuelfeed line 26 to extend up through the port and into the fuel dispersionassembly 40 which will be further discussed below.

Although the current embodiment provides for a single fuel source orpropane tank 24 to feed the burner unit 34, additional fuel sources withadditional control valves 26 can be provided as desired for thearrangement and configuration of the final ornamental effect of variousornamental flames, thus providing various arrangements and combinationsas will be discussed below.

While providing the vapor fuel through a vapor fuel line 28 is part ofthe first stage of creating the ornamental effect, dispersing the vaporfuel which this case is propane, within the noncombustible media 38 toachieve the desired burning effect requires the use of a fuel dispersionassembly 40 as seen in FIG. 4.

In this current embodiment, only a single fuel dispersion assembly 40 isprovided. It is already conceived that additional assemblies can be usedto create combinations of ornamental effects as will be discussed below.

The overall operation includes the following: after the fuel travelsthrough the fuel vapor line 28 it enters into a fuel dispersion sectionor cup 44. The propane exits through the top of the vapor fuel line 28and filters down through the bottom of the fuel dispersion cup 44. Thevapor fuel then enters into a fuel staging section or cup 42 which isarranged to collect the vapor fuel 46 and present it at the top surfaceof the noncombustible media 38 so that it can be ignited and produce theornamental flame 20. In order to provide for the proper presentment ofthe fuel vapor 46 at the desired location within the noncombustiblemedia 38, the fuel cup 42 as seen in FIG. 5 needs to be arranged in thedesired containment orientation.

The fuel cup 42 in this current embodiment has a fuel cup bottom wall 62and a fuel cup side wall 65 and an open-edged fuel cup top edge 64. Inthis current embodiment the fuel cup is arranged to allow the fuel vaporline 28 to enter through the center portion of the fuel cup bottom wall62. Referring to FIG. 6, the fuel vapor line 28 feeds through a vaporline bottom stay 70. The fuel vapor line is mated to a fuel vapor exitline 60 which is substantially arranged in the vertical direction. Thefuel vapor exit line 60 is held in stationary position by a vapor linetop stay 68. The vapor line top stay 68 and the vapor line bottom stay70 are mated together or connected together and provide for seating on afuel vapor line stay seat 72. In this particular embodiment the vaporline top stay 70 has two side arms 69 which extend laterally out fromthe vertical wall face and seat on the fuel line stay seat 72. The fuelline stay seat 72 is a raised cylindrical portion of the fuel cup bottomwall 62. The seat 72 has an inner cylindrical opening which allows thetop stay 68 and the fuel exit line 60 to pass through the bottom wall ofthe fuel cup 62 and create the transfer from the fuel vapor line 28 intothe vapor cup or fuel cup 42.

In detailed flow operation: the fuel vapor 46 has a certain flow rate 45because of the pre-pressurized propane tank 24. This flow rate 45provides an exit velocity of the vapor fuel into the fuel cup 42. Tokeep the propane from exiting in the vertical direction, and enablingthe vapor fuel to be dispersed within the fuel cup 42, the fueldispersion cup 44 is provided with exit ports. The fuel dispersion cuphas as previously mentioned a solid top wall 52 with cylindrical sidewalls 54. The cup is substantially open on the vertically lower orbottom edge 56.

The propane is deflected from its vertical travel path down into thebottom portion of the fuel dispersion cup 44 and then it passes througha plurality of predefined fuel dispersion exit ports 58. These exitports 58 direct the vapor fuel 46 into the bottom region of the fuel cup42 in the desired predetermined locations.

As the vapor fuel 46 begins to collect at the bottom of the fuel cup 42(referring back to FIG. 4), the propane or vapor fuel 46 begins toaggregate, collect and/or rise toward the fuel cup top edge 64. The fuelcup top edge 64 is positioned at a predetermined fuel cup recess height50.

During the burning operation, the combustion of the vapor fuel 46 willcreate around the perimeter and underneath the flame 20 itself,convection currents 48 which feeds the oxygen fuel combustion. Theconvection current 48 acts to draw up the vapor fuel 46 as it begins tospill over the edge 64 of the fuel cup 42. If the fuel cup recess height50 is too great and the distance between the top edge of the fuel cup 64and the top surface of the noncombustible media allows the aggregatespillover of the vapor fuel 46 to exceed the updraft convection currentdrag of the convection current 48, the vapor fuel 46 will begin tocollect into the media recess 16. To keep the vapor fuel from allowinguncontrollable flames to extend beyond the edge of the fuel cup and intothe media recess, the fuel cup recess height 50 needs to besubstantially small enough to prevent this spillover from happening.

Although the current fuel dispersion assembly 40 is utilizing the fueldispersion cup 44 in conjunction with the fuel cup 42, other assemblytypes are needed for various ornamental effects as well as fordispersion of the fuel within various noncombustible media.

For example, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the vapor fuel dispersionassembly 40 is provided to disperse the fuel vapor 46 within a waterenvironment 84. The fuel line 28 provides the vapor fuel to the bottomportion of an air stone fuel vapor diffuser 82. This air stone vapordiffuser is positioned within the bottom portion of a liquid mediarecess 80, which in the current embodiment being discussed is a clearglass containment structure. The propane tank 24 provides the desiredfuel and is positioned within a single support leg 14 which does notshow in this particular embodiment.

The air stone 82 in the current embodiment is configured as a taperedcylinder having a wider bottom cylinder base and a narrower top cylindersurface. The fuel vapor exit line 60, exits or terminates at the bottomof the air stone bottom wall 88 and is surrounded and held in positionby an air stone stem 90.

While the above air stone fuel diffuser 82 exemplifies one embodiment ofthe vapor fuel dispersion assembly 40 in a liquid environment, otherorientations synchronizing multiple vapor fuel dispersion assemblies areutilized.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a circular fuel dispersion assembly 100 isprovided to create a circular ornamental flame 106. The circularornamentation is achieved through the use of a cylindrical fuel cup 102,which has an inner radial wall 106 and an outer radial wall 104.Referring to FIG. 11, the cylindrical fuel cup 102 contains in thiscurrent embodiment four fuel dispersion cups 44. Each fuel dispersioncup 44 has both an ignition control as well as a flow control which willbe discussed below and which are controlled by a programmable integratedcircuit 110 or PIC to also be discussed below. Similarly, each fueldispersion cup 44 has a fuel line 28 which is sourced from the fuel tank24.

The fuel dispersion cups 44 distribute the fuel 28 within the inner wallregion of the cylindrical fuel up 102. The fuel vapor is ignited and thecircular ornamental flame 106 appears above the noncombustible media 38as previously discussed.

Another alternative embodiment of the ornamental flame object 10 isshown with a spiral ornamental flame configuration 120 as seen in FIGS.12 and 13. Generally speaking, the small ornamental configuration 120 isprovided with a plurality of spiral leg fuel dispersion assemblies 124.Each fuel dispersion assembly 124 includes a spiral leg fuel dispersioncup 123 and a spiral leg fuel cup 122. As previously discussed in theprior alternative embodiment, a programmable integrated circuit 110provides for control of the various ignition functions and flow controlfunctions of each fuel dispersion cup 123. In the current alternativeembodiment, the ornamental flame configuration 120 is designed to show ahierarchical spiral ornamental flame display 126. These fuel dispersionassemblies are configured for various combustion burning rates to createa high flame, a medium flame and a low flame.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a spiral leg fuel dispersion some 124 isshown where the spiral leg fuel cup 122 is configured with an outerradially aligned wall 144 and an inner radially aligned wall 146. Thesetwo walls extend from a tangent point 143 and converge at an apex 148 tocreate the desired containment cup. Within the fuel cup 122 ispositioned the fuel dispersion cup 123. To provide for increased fuelburn rate, the cup top wall 132 has a plurality of micro ports 134 whichare sized to provide the maximum desired amount of fuel vapor flow outof the top wall 132 but still small enough to keep the noncombustiblemedia 38 from entering into the inner portion of the fuel dispersion cup123. Thus when the flow rate through the micro ports 134 reaches itsmaximum capacity, the fuel vapor will also exit through the bottom exitport 36 of the dispersion cup outer sidewalls 140. In the currentembodiment, the dispersion cup perimeter sidewall 140 configurationparallels the radial sidewalls of the spiral leg fuel cup 122.

Now discussing in more detail the control for regulating the fuel intothe fuel vapor cup (referring to FIGS. 16-18). While a standard turnknob and weir-type control knob can be used, a more automated system isprovided in the current embodiment.

To provide for ignition and flow control, a fuel dispersion assemblywith a programmable integrated circuit 160 is provided. The programmableintegrated circuit 110 integrates with a control interface 172 whichoperates the control logic through an interface control application 174.The analog signals which are sent to the actuated control valve 164 andthe piezo electric igniter 162 are sent from the digital to analog relay171.

The programmable integrated circuit 110 can operate with a single fueldispersion assembly, an ornamental frame object, or an ornamental flameassembly.

For example, the single control element performed by the programmableintegrated circuit 110 on the fuel dispersion assembly 160 as seen inFIG. 16, includes the same user interface 172 and control application174. The only difference between the single dispersion controlapplication 174 and an ornamental flame object control application or anornamental flame assembly control application is in how the programmableintegrated circuit 110 has been hardwired for various multifunctioncapabilities.

One embodiment for providing single fuel dispersion assembly control,ornamental object flame control, or ornamental flame assembly control isthrough the use of a series of sub-applications within the main controlapplication 174 as seen in FIG. 18. Although the architecture shown forthese applications discusses separate application implementation drawingfrom a series of control class objects 176, other software architecturalorganizations can be implemented.

These control sub-applications include a fuel dispersion assemblyoperation application 182, an ornamental flame object operationapplication 184, and an ornamental flame assembly operation application186. To perform their various functions, these applications draw fromand initialize from a series of control class objects 176. The objectsincluded within this class include a continuous burn object 190, thecontinuous burn object enabling the single application or assembly tobum the flame for a continuous period and then have manual shut off.Also is a timed bum object 192 which enables the user to set a timeperiod for showing the ornamental flame.

The users may wish to utilize a series of predetermined variable flameconfigurations, which have been saved into the programmable integratedcircuit 110. Thus in order to control the flames, a variable bum object194 is provided.

Users may wish to set the height of various ornamental flames, thereforecontrol logic as provided through the use of a burn level object 196which includes a high level object 198, medium level object 200 and alow level object 202. In addition, users may wish to utilize performanceburn object 204 which provides for functionality between multipleornamental flame objects.

Additional control objects include an open valve object 206, an igniteobject 208, a timer object 210, a lights on/off object 212, and avariable light control object 214.

The operation of the control application 174 for controlling a singleflame dispersion assembly 182 operation application will now beprovided. Referring to FIG. 19, the control application 174 enables theuser to initialize the sub-application flame dispersion assemblyoperation 182 at step 220 by starting the flame dispersion assemblyapplication. While running, the application 182 enables the user tostart a continuous burn of the flame dispersion apparatus at step 224,start a time to burn of the flame dispersion assembly at step 226, orstart a variable burn of the flame dispersion assembly at step 228. Theuser can also at step 230 start a continuous bum at various burn levelsettings including a high flame burn at step 232, a medium flame burn atstep 234, or a low flame burn at step 236.

In order to run the flame at a continuous burn, the control applicationtakes a series of continuous bum steps 224 including as seen in FIG. 22,a start step at 262, followed by a decision block to determine if thevalve is set to open at step 264. If the valve is not set to open thenthe piezo igniter is signaled to ignite the flame at step 268. Thecontinuous bum continues to run until the user ends the process at step270.

Similarly, in order to perform a timed burn at step 226 (referring toFIG. 23), the control application will start the time to bum setting atstep 272 and implement a decision block at step 274 to read whether ornot the valve is set to open. If the valve is set to open then the usercan set the time to bum at step 278, otherwise the user can open thevalve at step 276. The flame is ignited at step 280 by actuating thepiezo electric igniter, and the burn continues through a while loopuntil the time is equal to zero at step 282. The process ends at step284.

In order to operate the variable bum setting of the ornamental flame atstep 228, the application starts the variable burn process at step 286and the user can set a rate to vary the control valve opening at step294. The user can choose a high variable rate at step 280, a mediumvariable rate at step 290, or a low variable rate at step 292. After thecontrol valve rate is set, the control application poles the valve todetermine whether or not the valve is set to open at decision block step296. If the valve is set to close then the control application signalsthe valve to open at step 298; otherwise the control application willthen set the time to burn the flame at step 300. The application alsoenables the user to set the upper height of the ornamental flame at step302 as well as the lowest height of the ornamental flame level at step304. The control application will then enable the user to send anignition signal at step 306 to the piezo electric igniter. The variableburn process 228 will run until in this case the while loop reaches thetime equal to zero at step 308 at which point the variable bum processwill end at step 310.

1. An assembly for providing an ornamental flame with a bum base havinga bum perimeter, said assembly comprising: a. a furnishing objectcomprising a top surface and a media recess arranged within said topsurface; a support section, said support section comprising a vapor fuelrecess location; b. a vapor fuel source located within said vapor fuelrecess location; c. a dispersion assembly comprising: a staging sectionarranged within said media recess; a dispersion section arranged withinsaid staging section; a delivery line comprising a delivery port, saiddelivery line configured to transport vapor fuel from said vapor fuelsource to said delivery port, said delivery port arranged to providesaid vapor fuel into said dispersion section; d. said dispersion sectionfurther comprising an exit port configured to inject said vapor fuelinto said staging section; e. noncombustible media arranged within saidmedia recess and covering said dispersion assembly; f. an ignitionelement to ignite said vapor fuel in said staging section; g. wherebyignition of said vapor fuel by said ignition element in said stagingsection provides an ornamental flame above said noncombustible media. 2.The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said dispersion sectionfurther comprises an air stone.
 3. The assembly according to claim 1wherein said media recess further comprises a plurality of lightelements to illuminate said furnishing object.
 4. The assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said assembly further comprises: said vapor fuelsource comprising a propane tank; said vapor fuel comprising propane. 5.The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said noncombustible mediafurther comprises: a noncombustible liquid; a noncombustible solid. 6.The assembly according to claim 5 wherein said noncombustible liquidfurther comprises: water; vinegar; glycerin; and noncombustible oils. 7.The assembly according to claim 5 wherein said noncombustible solidfurther comprises: sand; rocks; pebbles; stone; glass; and ice.
 8. Theassembly according to claim 1 wherein said dispersion assembly furthercomprises at least a first dispersion assembly and a second dispersionassembly arranged within said furnishing object.
 9. The assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein said media recess further comprises atleast a first media recess and a second media recess arranged with saidfurnishing object.
 10. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidfurnishing object further comprises at least a first furnishing objectand a second furnishing object arranged within a human livingenvironment.
 11. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein saiddispersion section further comprises a top wall, a perimeter wall, saidperimeter wall comprising a bottom edge, said bottom edge interfacingwith said staging section.
 12. The assembly according to claim 1 whereinsaid staging section further comprises: a bottom wall, a sidewall, and atop edge, said top edge vertically positioned at or below said topsurface.
 13. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said assemblyfurther comprises a control element comprising: a flow control valveconfigured to regulate the amount of vapor fuel to said delivery port;an ignition controller configured to actuate said ignition element toignite said vapor fuel in said staging section.
 14. The assemblyaccording to claim 13 wherein said assembly further comprises a controlsystem configured to operate said flow control valve and said ignitioncontrol.
 15. The assembly according to claim 14 wherein said controlsystem further comprises a programmable integrated circuit comprising amemory containing a control application, a control class comprisingcontrol objects, said programmable integrated circuit interoperativelyconnected to said flow control valve, said ignition control, and acontrol interface; whereby said control application initializes saidcontrol objects within said control class and is displayed on saidcontrol interface to operate said flow control valve in said ignitioncontrol.
 16. The assembly according to claim 15 wherein said ignitionelement further comprises a piezo electric igniter.
 17. The assemblyaccording to claim 15 wherein said control application furthercomprises: a continuous bum application configured to ignite and burnsaid vapor fuel until a manual shut off signal.
 18. The assemblyaccording to claim 15 wherein said control application further comprisesa time to burn application configured to ignite and burn said vapor fuelfor a period of time.
 19. The assembly according to claim 15 whereinsaid control application further comprises a variable burn applicationconfigured to ignite and bum said vapor fuel during a vapor fuelvariable flow rate.
 20. The assembly according to claim 15 wherein saidcontrol application further comprises a burn level setting applicationconfigured to set the flow rate of the vapor fuel and ignite said vaporfuel to bum said vapor fuel during said set flow rate.
 21. An assemblyfor providing an ornamental flame with a burn base having a bumperimeter, said ornamental flame provided within a human livingenvironment, said assembly comprising: a. a furnishing object comprisinga top surface and a media recess arranged within said top surface; asupport section comprising a vapor fuel recess location and supportingsaid top surface; said media recess comprising a plurality ofnoncombustible media; b. a propane tank located within said vapor fuelrecess location, said propane tank comprising propane; c. a dispersionassembly comprising: i. a staging section comprising a bottom wall, asidewall, and a top edge, said bottom wall and sidewall arranged tocontain and present said propane at the top surface to define said burnperimeter, said top edge vertically positioned at or below said topsurface; ii. a dispersion section arranged within said staging sectiontwo inject said propane into said staging section; a propane deliveryline configured to transport said propane from said propane tank to adelivery port within said dispersion section; d. a control systemcomprising: i. a programmable integrated circuit comprising: a memorycontaining a control application, a control class comprising controlobjects, interoperation with a control interface, a flow control valveconfigured to regulate said propane within said propane delivery line, apiezo electric igniter configured to ignite said propane within saidstaging section; ii. said control interface comprising: a display tooperate said control application; to signal said piezo electric igniterto ignite said propane; and to send a signal to said flow control valveto regulate said propane flow within said delivery line to vary theornamental flame bum rate.
 22. An apparatus for providing an ornamentalflame with an exterior or interior furnishing object, said furnishingobject having a top surface, a support, and a media recess arrangedwithin the top surface and containing noncombustible media, saidapparatus comprising: a. a dispersion assembly comprising: a stagingsection arranged within said media recess, said staging sectioncomprising a bottom wall, a sidewall, a top edge, said top edgevertically positioned at or below said top surface; a dispersion sectionarranged within said staging section to inject propane into said stagingsection; a delivery line comprising a delivery port, said delivery lineconfigured to transport propane from a propane tank to said dispersionsection; b. a controller comprising a control valve and an ignitionelement, said control valve interoperatively connected to said deliveryline to regulate said propane, said ignition element comprising a piezoelectric igniter arranged within said staging section to ignite saidpropane; c. whereby said controller regulates the propane from saidpropane tank through said propane delivery line into said dispersionsection, said dispersion section injecting said propane into saidstaging section, said staging section presenting said propane at the topsurface of said noncombustible media, said piezo electric igniterigniting said propane to provide an ornamental flame with saidfurnishing object.
 23. A process to provide an ornamental flame with aninterior or exterior furnishing object, said furnishing object having atop surface, a support, a media recess arranged within the top surface,said media recess containing noncombustible media, said processcomprising: a. delivering propane from a propane tank through a propanedelivery line to a dispersion assembly comprising a staging sectionarranged within said media recess and comprising a bottom wall, asidewall, a top edge, said top edge vertically positioned at or belowsaid top surface; a dispersion section arranged within said stagingsection, said dispersion section comprising a plurality of injectionports; b. receiving said propane into said dispersion section; c.injecting said propane from said dispersion section into said stagingsection through said injection ports; d. delivering said propane andsaid staging section to said top surface; e. igniting said propane at ornear said top surface; f. providing an ornamental flame and said topsurface of said noncombustible media; g. controlling said ornamentalflame by regulating said propane flow through said propane deliveryline.